Nandapur:31st July 2025: To revive the dying traditional pottery craftsmanship of the Kumbhakar (potter) community, the women’s self-help groups (SHGs) of Nandapur Block Headquarters have stepped forward, with training supported by ORMAS (Odisha Rural Development and Marketing Society) and the Central Khadi and Village Industries Commission.
Under the guidance of trainers Upendra Kumbhar and Shibani Priyadarshini, women received 10 days of pottery training. On Sunday, over 50 clay items were crafted using electric pottery machines provided by the organizing institutions.
The women skillfully created and displayed various clay products such as:
- Surahi (water pitchers),
- Flower vases,
- Table lamps,
- Decorative flower stands,
- Water bottles,
- Dinner sets,
- Pen stands,
- Clay figurines of elephants, Ganesha, horses, and fish.
These items featured terracotta artwork with a blend of traditional charm and modern aesthetics, aiming to attract public attention. The women emphasized that such eco-friendly and artistic clay products are ideal for daily use, office décor, and gifting, which could lead to growing demand.
Product by Two SHGs:
- Gouj Bayani Mahila SHG (Kumbhar Sahi)
- President: Parbati Arlia
- Secretary: Anjali Chalan
- Maa Tulasi Mahila SHG
- President: Harapriya Arlia
- Secretary: Subhadra Nayak
Together, 30 women from both SHGs underwent the pottery training under the Skill Development Training Program of the Oremudyog Vikas Yojana.
The participants expressed their satisfaction, noting that the training helped them acquire a valuable livelihood skill. Going forward, they plan to use the equipment and raw materials provided to produce terracotta items on a regular basis and sell them in local markets and urban areas, thus ensuring both cultural preservation and economic empowerment.